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Miami (OH) Riding Improbable Start Through Late January

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Zander White | Last updated Jan 21, 2026 1:30 PM ET

Miami (OH) began the season 11-0 following an 83–76 win over Wright State, marking the program’s best start since the 1943–44 season. That same year, only 12 games were played in a season.

The RedHawks have since pushed that run to a historic 20-0, cracking the AP Top 25 for the first time since the 1998-99 season and standing as one of just three remaining undefeated teams, alongside No. 1 Arizona and No. 7 Nebraska, as February approaches.

Miami (OH) Riding Improbable Start Through Late January

Step by step: How the RedHawks have, and continue to dominate

The RedHawks entered the season ranked second in the MAC preseason poll with 133 votes. Through late January, they’ve done far more than just meet those expectations.

Miami (OH) opened the year in dominant fashion, rolling to double-digit wins over Old Dominion and Air Force. A game before their victory over the Falcons, the RedHawks routed Trinity Christian 129-49, one of the largest margins of victory in program history.

Since the start of conference play, Miami has won by an average of 11.8 points with six players averaging double figures. Over their last five, the RedHawks passed the 100-point mark three times.

As of Jan. 19, the conference leaders rank second nationally in scoring offense at 93.9 points per game, sit 37th in bench scoring, and allow just 73.3 points per contest.

Miami (OH) RedHawks players cheer for Miami (OH) RedHawks guard Justin Kirby (6) after a dunk in the second half of a NCAA men’s basketball game between the Miami RedHawks and Buffalo Bulls, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Millett Hall in Oxford, Oh. RedHawks won 105-102.

Suder leading improbable scoring runs in back-to-back OT victories

Starting guard Peter Suder has powered the RedHawks through their last two games, scoring a combined 64 points across both overtime victories. He recorded a career-high 37 points in Tuesday’s 107–100 win over Kent State.

Suder logged more than 40 minutes in both contests, first against Buffalo, then against the Golden Flashes—adding 10 rebounds and eight assists while carrying the workload. Even in late-game situations, he’s consistent.

Still, Miami (OH) doesn’t rely on Suder as a one-man offense. On paper, he isn’t even the team’s leading scorer. The RedHawks are led by sophomore guard Brant Byers, who averages a team-high 15.3 points along with four rebounds after transferring from UMass.

Depth and versatility setting RedHawks apart

As a team, the RedHawks shoot 41% from three-point range, but it’s not just the perimeter where the RedHawks thrive. They’re effective on just about every level of the floor, boasting one of the most well-rounded rosters in the MAC, and arguably across all mid-majors in the country.

Miami (OH) runs a rotation that sits about nine players deep, each averaging double-figure minutes a game in addition to their point totals. Bench roles vary by contest, but offensive production remains steady.

Even the bench shares the ball, averaging just above six assists per game.

Up Next: What’s ahead as the calendar turns to February

The RedHawks have a chance of becoming the first team since Kansas State in 2023-24 to record six overtime wins in a single season. They’ll face UMass and Northern Illinois at home before hitting the road for a rematch against the Bulls on Feb. 3.

The team is currently projected as an 11-seed, according to Joe Lunardi’s most recent Bracketology.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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